William “Bill” G. Rhoads, age 92, died from complications of Parkinson on Thursday October 14th, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Ines M. Rhoads, two children; Robert W. Rhoads and Elizabeth M. Richter married to Anthony Richter, and two grandchildren; Christian and Emma Richter of San Jose, CA. He is preceded in death by his two older brothers Samuel Edward “Ted” Rhoads 1926-2008 and Donald V. Rhoads 1928-2015.
Bill Rhoads was born on September 8th, 1929 in Pasadena California at the precipice of the Great Depression to parents Samuel Rhoads and Helen Vail. He graduated high school at Westtown School in West Chester, PA 1947 where he promptly enrolled at MIT for undergraduate studies in economics and chemical engineering, graduating in 1951. While studying economics at MIT for his masters, he accepted a position at Williams College in Williamstown, MA as an Economics professor from 1959-1965. While attending a conference in Chicago, he was recruited by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) which launched his government career and combined his love for travel and philanthropy. His years in service include:
1965-1969: USAID Assistant Director. Bogota, Columbia.
1970-1973: USAID Representative. Montevideo, Uruguay.
1974-1977: Deputy Assistant Administrator, Interagency Development Coordination. Washington, D.C.
1978-1981: USAID Assistant Director. Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
1981-1985: Chief, PL-480 Food loans, Food for Peace. Washington, D.C.
1985-1989: USAID Program Officer. Lima, Peru.
He served as a crucial figure in appropriating funds to assist these countries grow and develop economically including infrastructure, agriculture and education. After his retirement, his experience and altruism drew him to El Hogar Hispano in Arlington, VA as a volunteer to assist immigrants seeking asylum 1990-1996. Afterwards he volunteered at the Nature Conservancy, Rosslyn, VA 1996-1998 working on proposals for fund appropriation for watershed protection in Latin America. He had a deep interest in archeology and a great love for travel and nature which is why he supported several charities including The Wildlife Federation and Rails to Trails. Science and math were the foundation of his education, and as an ancestor of our founding fathers, Bill gave generously in support of the Wistar Institute in PA. He also supported local and regional food assistance programs such as the AFAC in Arlington, VA.
Bill was a loving and supportive father and husband. He met his wife, Ines Rhoads, during his tour in Uruguay and married November 17, 1973 in Arlington, VA. They enjoyed 47 years of marriage together, traveling the world and living a quiet comfortable life in Arlington, Virginia.
Friends will remember him for his dry sense of humor, his intriguing narratives, his political preferences, and his matter of fact style. Services private.
Comments are closed.